Thought for the Day

This verse is a reiteration of Proverbs 14:12. When God repeats something in His Word, we need to pay special attention. We are warned about deception because it is subtle and deadly. Eve sinned because she was deceived; we also can be deceived, if we are not careful. We cannot accept something simply because it appears to be right; it could lead us down a pathway to death. As we saw in Day 105, we must test things before accepting them (1 Thessalonians 5:21). Cults are spreading, and many pose as forms of Christianity. The enemy is ensnaring Christians because they are not "proving all things." "New Age" thought is even infiltrating the church.

How do we test something? We must look to God and His Word to prove all things. If it does not agree with the Bible, we should not believe it. People spread many ideas as truth. However, truth can only be found in the Word of God. The truth will set us free when we adhere to it (John 8:31-32). "Let no man deceive you with vain words: for because of these things cometh the wrath of God upon the children of disobedience. Be not ye therefore partakers with them. For ye were sometimes darkness, but now are ye light in the Lord: walk as children of light: (For the fruit of the Spirit is in all goodness and righteousness and truth;) Proving what is acceptable unto the Lord" (Ephesians 5:6-10).

Lack of discernment is a serious problem in the church today because of people's lust for things of this world. If we have uncommitted hearts, containing a mixture of love for this world and love for the Lord, we will be in deception, which will ultimately bring destruction into our lives.

The Lord Jesus warned of a day when deception would be rampant (Matthew 24:4-5,11). Only by coming before God with a teachable spirit can we learn the truth and recognize error. Satan has a counterfeit for every truth of God. As we become acquainted with God, we will be able to better discern Satan's counterfeits. We need not fear being deceived if we are in fellowship with the Lord, for He will deliver us from every evil as we continue to follow Him. The way to keep from being deceived is to depart from sin, study the Word of God, and obey what we find in its pages. Just hearing the Word will not save us; we must practice it or we will deceive ourselves. "Wherefore lay apart all filthiness and superfluity of naughtiness, and receive with meekness the engrafted word, which is able to save your souls. But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves" (James 1:21-22).